Economic Equity

DSM SURJ is pushing economic equality by using our large network to thoughtfully support people of color owned businesses and other enterprises in the Des Moines area. This strategy has been used in many cities to redirect resources to companies that have had additional burdens towards developing sustainable businesses.

We’ll highlighting up to 4 businesses each month.

Please make efforts to support these businesses–and spread the word in your various networks! A SURJ member has had direct communication with each of these businesses owners and they are excited to be highlighted by the Des Moines chapter.

(Also, if you have a business you would like to nominate for the spotlight, please forward the information to a member of the leadership team.)

Whitfield’s provides many types of lawn and landscape maintenance, landscape installation, and snow and ice management. In business since 2002, Whitfield’s is led by Randy Whitfield, who has degrees in Landscape Management and as a Greenhouse Specialist. Whitfield’s gears its services toward each customer’s specific needs. Need a hedge trimmed? Leaves or other lawn debris taken away? Lawn mowed? Yard landscaped? Check out their website to learn more about these and many other ways they can help you.

Whether you require electrician services for your home or your business, you can depend on G&W Electric to handle your needs with the ultimate care. They offer many years of experience working on electric needs of all types. You can choose from many services, such as exterior security lighting, energy-saving lighting, kitchen and bathroom remodeling, landscape lighting, ceiling fan installation and repair, and much more. They handle all types of buildings, both residential and commercial, and they welcome both large and small jobs.

The mission of Solidarity Microfinance is to empower women and communities to create economic opportunities through small business loans, support, and savings services. They serve families who are living below the poverty line, so far mostly women, approximately 85% Latino and 15% Black, including many immigrants. To date, Solidarity has made 659 loans, with about 240 cumulative members, who are given additional loans to grow their businesses as they succeed with their earlier loans. Borrowers have increased their annual income by $4100 on average, with 28% of the members having increased their incomes by more than $600 per month!

Many businesses are represented in the Solidarity portfolio, including clothing sales, health products, food sales, cleaning services, a beauty salon, child care, and others. You may wish to donate funds to Solidarity to help fund loans, or you might want to check out one of the following businesses that are working with Solidarity to grow.

Victor Ayara is a multi-talented journalist, marketer, public speaker, videographer, and musician, holding an MS in communication with a concentration in public relations. He’s working hard to help people of color and immigrants develop digital platforms to market and advertise their businesses. KBC can help create a website, but more important is the creation of video content, using sharp videos that share the stories of their businesses and what they do, often using an interview format. Many of these businesses have good products or services but the only way they’re reaching people is by word of mouth. KBC will help a business realize the potential of online marketing and traffic. Victor Ayara immigrated to the U.S. from Liberia, so he knows about the hurdles immigrants and people of color can face when starting or trying to grow a business here. KBC services are priced very reasonably as a way of reaching out and assisting others.

Equality is at the core of DSM Brew, which proudly features Get Woke in neon on their wall, coffee cup sleeves, T-shirts, bumper stickers, and website. Get Woke is a political term of African American origin which refers to a perceived awareness of issues concerning social and racial justice. DSM Brew embraces this charge, bringing together people representing Des Moines’ diversity. DSM brew leadership seeks minority employees as part of its hiring practices, as well as banning the box! Employees include people who have immigrated or are first generation, are from numerous countries, or are of African American descent, along with people from other types of minorities. In addition to their hiring practices, they are determined to be a place of conversation for the community around racial and social injustices. Des Moines Brew has become the premiere destination for nitro coffee, hot brew coffee, espresso drinks, gelato, and high tea in downtown Des Moines. This is a local business we can be proud to support, enjoying delicious and interesting food and drinks while engaging in important dialogue. See you there!

HoQ Restaurant features the finest of Iowa foods, with about 90% of the ingredients coming from local farms. Enjoy delicious, healthy farm-to-table dishes with flavors from around the world, knowing that when you dine at this East Village restaurant, you’re supporting local farmers and sustainable methods.

This photography studio handles weddings, high school senior portraits, family portraiture, advertising, video production, action photography, special events, and more. Give them a call when you have photo or video needs and they’ll be happy to help you out!

This southside restaurant features Nepalese dining. Local feedback has been very enthusiastic—people love this place! Here’s an excerpt from a Yelp review: This is a hidden gem. Absolutely fantastic food, friendly staff. I can’t say enough about how wonderful the food here was. They’ll answer any questions you have about the menu. You can help support a refugee while enjoying delicious Nepalese fare.

Kimberly Reed has been in the insurance business for 25 years. She handles both business/commercial and individual insurance, including auto, health, life, and home or renters insurance. Kimberly will be happy to meet with you to find solutions for your insurance needs.

We all know that reusing can be even better than recycling. Here’s a great way to reuse! Bouquets of Metal repurposes metal cans. Customer orders welcome, wall art, door décor, fun team flowers. Outdoor décor including spinners, magnets and coasters. Check out the Etsy site to see photos of this brightly colored and beautiful artwork.

To serve you better, we have three separated sections with a total of 25 booths and several large tables for your big groups and parties. Catering is also available. Our Menu has been thoroughly elaborated with dishes from different zones of Mexico and TexMex Style, a little different from what is known around here, like the Traditional Mexican Sopes, Molcajetes, Pollo a la Piña, Santa Fe Enchiladas, Cancun Salad, Fried Mojarra, Fish Tacos, Arrachera Tacos, Tacos Hawaiians, and lots more! Come to celebrate your Birthday with us and get a Free Dessert or if you are Feeling Great, have a Tequila Shot on the house!

SEPTEMBER

Phat Daddyz BBQ and Sports Grill

Best Homestyle BBQ in the Des Moines Area! Catering and Delivery are available!!

Bottle & Bottega

Bottle & Bottega hosts art parties where attendees are guided to create their own art while they eat, drink, and make merry. It’s not an Art Class–It’s an ART PARTY! Scratch the structure. Lose the lecture. Bottle & Bottega is all about friends, a canvas, and a bottle of wine. The only lesson to learn: You DO have an inner artist just waiting to be realized! This event is NOT BYOB. We look forward to seeing you there!
.

This food is primarily East African, especially Somalian and Ethiopian. Many dishes show the influence of food from India. They are open 9 am to 9 pm every day, unless they run out of food before 9, in which case they close early that day. If you go on a weekend day, it’s best to go early!

The Great Frame Up is dedicated to supporting local artists and creating awareness of noted African American artists. It currently features originals, prints, sculptures and framed artwork of numerous African American and Iowa artists.

Susan bakes out of her home. She also does catering. You can hire her for parties, office events, weddings, graduations, birthdays, anything where you want sweet treats. She can create really unique cakes and other treats.

The mission of Pyramid Theatre Company is to provide a gateway to the arts for the Des Moines community by illuminating the presence of Black artists in the theatre canon and providing a means of artistic expression to emerging Black voices. The two plays being offered summer 2017 are The Amen Corner by James Baldwin and Mississippi by Jonathan Norton. Performances are held at Stoner Theater.
Contact Pyramid or purchase tickets at the website: http://pyramidtheatre.org/.

Women’s clothing and accessories; Gifts, home décor, musical instruments, fair trade products; All products originate from countries in Africa, Asia, and South America. Many of the importers contribute money back to the communities where the products are created. Open: Monday to Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday 10am – 4pm.